John Rolph (formerly Resolute) #
Official Number: C.88241
Year of Build: 1883
Built at: Deseronto, Ontario
Builder: Rathbun Bros.
Vessel Type: Wooden freight steamer
Dimensions (Original):
- Length: 126 feet
- Beam: 27.8 feet
- Depth: 10.3 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 336 tons
Dimensions (After 1887 Rebuild):
- Length: 136.6 feet
- Beam: 27.8 feet
- Depth: 10.3 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 372 tons
- Net Tonnage: 262 tons
Construction and Early Service
The John Rolph began life as the Resolute, a wooden freight steamer built in 1883 by the Rathbun Brothers at Deseronto, Ontario, for their Deseronto Navigation Company Ltd.. Initially, the Resolute was employed in the Rathbun Brothers’ extensive lumber operations, serving as a key asset in the transport of lumber and other goods along Lake Ontario and the surrounding regions.
In 1887, the Resolute was rebuilt, extending its length to 136.6 feet, and its gross tonnage was increased to 372 tons. This rebuild made the vessel more versatile, allowing it to carry larger loads, which would later be crucial for its transition to different types of cargo.
Early 1900s: Transition to Coal and Construction Trade
In the early 1900s, the vessel passed into the hands of Haney & Miller, who repurposed it for the transport of coal and construction materials. This shift in operations marked a new chapter for the Resolute, as it became an integral part of the shipping infrastructure in and around Toronto, which was rapidly growing and in need of raw materials.
The Storm of 1906: A Tragic Sinking
On November 21, 1906, the Resolute, laden with coal from Erie, Pennsylvania, and towing the barge P.B. Locke, encountered a fierce easterly gale as it approached Toronto’s Eastern Gap. Unable to enter the harbor due to the storm, both the Resolute and the P.B. Locke anchored in Humber Bay for protection.
Unfortunately, the wind soon shifted to the west, turning the bay into a lee shore, leaving the vessels exposed to the storm’s full force. While the P.B. Locke survived the battering, the Resolute was swamped by the waves and foundered at anchor, tragically resulting in the loss of seven crew members.
A remarkable survival story emerged from the disaster: the Resolute’s captain, John Sullivan, managed to escape the wreck by riding a section of the ship’s after deckhouse, which had broken free. He floated through the Western Gap and into the calm waters of Toronto Bay, surviving the ordeal.
Rebuild and New Identity: John Rolph
In October 1907, the hull of the Resolute was salvaged, and in 1908, the vessel was rebuilt in Toronto and renamed John Rolph. The rebuilt vessel had a gross tonnage of 421 tons and a net tonnage of 212 tons.
In 1909, the John Rolph was transferred to Point Anne Quarries Ltd., where it was used for the transport of stone and quarry materials, marking another transition in the vessel’s long and varied career. The ship continued to serve in the quarrying industry for many years, contributing to the infrastructure development of Toronto and the surrounding regions.
Final Years and Disposition
By 1923, the John Rolph was laid up in the West Market Street slip in Toronto, where it settled in the mud and remained inactive. Around 1926, the vessel was pumped out and moved to Hanlan’s Point to make way for harbor redevelopment. After several years of lying unused at Hanlan’s Point, the ship was eventually scuttled in deep water in Lake Ontario, marking the end of its long service.
Historical Significance
The John Rolph (formerly Resolute) is a vessel that reflects the adaptability and resilience of ships during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially built for lumber transport, it transitioned to the coal and construction material trade, served through a tragic wreck, and was reborn as a vital part of quarry operations in Toronto.
Its history highlights not only the physical and operational resilience of ships during this period but also the dangerous conditions that mariners often faced, as evidenced by the loss of life during the 1906 storm. The ship’s final scuttling in Lake Ontario marked the end of a storied career that spanned over four decades, contributing significantly to both the lumber and construction industries of the Great Lakes region.
Summary of Key Events: #
- 1883: Built as Resolute for lumber transport by the Rathbun Brothers.
- 1887: Rebuilt, lengthened, and increased in tonnage.
- Early 1900s: Transitioned to coal and construction material trade under Haney & Miller.
- November 21, 1906: Foundered in a storm off Toronto, resulting in the loss of seven crew members.
- 1908: Salvaged and rebuilt as John Rolph.
- 1909: Acquired by Point Anne Quarries Ltd. for quarry material transport.
- 1923: Laid up in Toronto’s West Market Street slip.
- 1926: Moved to Hanlan’s Point and later scuttled in deep water in Lake Ontario.
The John Rolph/Resolute was an important part of the maritime landscape of Lake Ontario, serving in multiple capacities throughout its lifetime and contributing to the development of both the lumber and construction industries in the region
